NHK helmets is an Indonesian helmet manufacturer that was established in 2017 and has grown rapidly since. The company sponsors numerous Moto2 and Moto3 riders, and its helmets have been worn in the past by Moto2 world champions Remy Gardner and Tito Rabat. These helmets were briefly retailed in India before the pandemic, but sales had to stop due to the regulation that all helmets sold in India must be ISI compliant.
- Most affordable helmet starts at Rs 4,999
- Special Rajini Krishnan livery available on two models
- Remy Gardner’s World Championship replica helmet limited to 499 units
NHK has used this time to get the required ISI certification and sales are expected to begin by end-January or mid-February 2023. These helmets are being imported and distributed in India by Chennai-based 69 Designs, which is run by famous ex-racer Sarath Kumar.
The company will come to India with four models, including a brand new one called the K5-R, which is made with polycarbonate and is the most affordable with prices starting at Rs 4,999. Despite its low entry price, this helmet will still have premium features like an anti-fog Pinlock lens, a double-d ring fastener and removable and washable liners.
The next model is the GP-R Tech Street, which is designed to look exactly like the GP-R Tech helmet used by the racers. But it uses a polycarbonate construction instead of fibreglass, which helps it to be priced around Rs 8,500. The one made with fibreglass costs around Rs 32,000.
Both the GP-R Tech Street and Race helmets are available in a range of aggressive and striking graphics, including a dedicated graphic for Indian racing legend Rajini Krishnan. At the age of 42, Rajini sealed his 11th National Racing championship in 2022, beating many riders half his age. He is also the first Indian rider to have a dedicated helmet replica available for sale to the public.
Multiple sizes are available across the models and the GP-R Tech helmet will also be sold in a dedicated children's size. The timing is good, with the advent of mini-moto racing for youngsters beginning in India in 2022. Click here to read what it's like to ride one of these premium Italian mini race bikes.
The fourth helmet is a GP-R Tech Race made in carbon fibre. This particular gold livery is designed to celebrate Remy Gardner’s Moto2 World Championship win in 2021, and is limited to just 499 units worldwide. It costs around Rs 36,000, and the company says it plans to bring in more carbon fibre NHK helmets in the future.
We got to look closely at these helmets at the launch and the quality and finish levels are quite impressive, be it in the crispness of the graphics, the preciseness of the visor mechanism, or the snappy feel in the openable plastic vents. Look out for a proper product review sometime in the future.